The Green Bay Packers took a big gamble during the most recent offseason when they decided to trade Aaron Rodgers and make Jordan Love their new starting quarterback. After a slow and inconsistent start, Love has showed he should be the team’s quarterback of the future. So, the time for Packers GM Brian Gutekunst to sign Love to a long-term extension is now.

The Packers Signed Jordan Love to a New Deal This Past Offseason

The Packers drafted Love back in 2020. He spent the first three seasons of his NFL career backing up Rodgers. During this time, he started only once and that came when Rodgers contracted Covid-19 in 2021 before a road game in Kansas City. Other than that, Love saw only mop up duty.

After the Packers granted Rodgers’ trade request, the team signed Love to a short-term, two-year extension. The new deal paid him more than he was originally scheduled to earn in 2023 but less than he would have earned under the fifth-year option. The contract Love signed provided incentives so he could earn more money if he performed well.

As of now, Love’s 2024 cap hit will be a little more than  $7.75 million.

Jordan Love Finds His Groove After a Slow Start with the Packers

Love and the Green Bay offense got off to a slow start this season.  A combination of injuries and inexperienced players contributed to the team’s early struggles. Love himself had difficulty throwing accurately downfield and making decisions. Penalties, poor pass patterns and a struggling running game also contributed to the offense’s struggles.

During the Packers four-game losing streak in the fourth through seventh games of the season, Love threw four touchdowns and seven interceptions. The inconsistency of the offense resulted in many close losses.

But in the team’s last three games, he completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 857 yards and eight touchdowns. He didn’t throw any interceptions and has a passer rating of 116.9. The Packers went 3-0 and Love outplayed star quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, and Patrick Mahomes.

What the Packers Did with Aaron Rodgers in 2008

In 2008, Rodgers took over as the Packers starter for Brett Favre who was traded to the New York Jets earlier that summer. After watching Rodgers start seven games, GM Ted Thompson decided to ink Rodgers to a six-year contract extension worth $63 million. The deal included a signing bonus of a little more than $7 million and $20 million was guaranteed in case Rodgers got hurt.

At the time of the extension, the Packers were 4-3 in a season they would eventually finish with a 6-10 record. Rodgers threw 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Despite the team’s average record, management had seen enough from Rodgers to know he was the team’s quarterback of the future.

It’s Time for the Packers to Sign Jordan Love to an Extension

Over the last five games, Love has proven he can be a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. He may not develop into a future Hall of Famer, but he demonstrated he has what it takes to be a quarterback you can win with and win because of.

The Packers are 4-1 in their last five games and are now in the thick of the playoff hunt in the NFC. Love has looked confident and in command of the offense. Furthermore, he proved he can make plays when the original call breaks down and he and his receivers have to read the situation and improvise.

Just like Rodgers in 2008, Love has made it clear he should be the team’s quarterback of the future.

The Price of an Extension Will Only Go Up

Another reason for Gutekunst to sign Love now is that the price of signing him will only go up. Each year, the salary cap goes up and the cost of signing an elite quarterback increases as well.

For example, Rodgers was the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback when he signed his final deal with the Packers before the 2022 season. By the end of the year, Rodgers ranked fifth in the league based on the players’ 2022 cap hit according to Sports Illustrated.

Furthermore, if Love continues to play well down the stretch, both his demands and ultimate salary will only increase. They can also spread the signing bonus out for an extra year if they sign an extension with Love before this season ends.

The Packers got a great deal when they signed Rodgers to an extension in 2008. They should do the same for Love now before the price gets even higher.

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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